Critical Q&A #23

The weekly show where I answer questions from viewers left in the comments section of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at askchrisshelton@gmail.com. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) I had heard of connections with the beginnings of Scientology and Dianetics with certain occult practices and that L. Ron Hubbard was interested in some occult subjects. Given that the internet can be an unreliable source of information on such topics are you able to shed a little more light on the matter? Also, thank you for creating content that is both informative and entertaining.

(2) L. Ron Hubbard said “man is a spiritual being.” When you were a Scientologist what did that mean to you? Do you still believe it? Is it a testable proposition?

(3) You’ve made mention of using the term muggle while in Scientology and that you are a huge fan of Star Trek and such. Were you able to read novels and go to the movies and television very often while you were in Scientology? How much free down time did you really have? Were there any limits on what movies, books, and television shows you could see (aside from the obvious stuff you weren’t allowed to look at like obvious critics of Scientology)? Have you seen or heard about the movie Bowfinger?  If so what do you think about MindHead? Thanks, love your videos.

(4) How does one move or graduate from one OT level to the next? What is the determination of a person being able to move to the next OT level? Why does it take so long to be at a particular level before one moves up to the next? Also, roughly would you know how much financially each OT level costs? If the OT levels are the person auditing themselves and you mentioned hours and hours of it, does that mean hours and hours each and every day? How does one find the time?

(5) Hi Chris. Listening to your Q&As has so far cleared up a lot…great work! When you refer to the “original” concept of Scientology as opposed to what it has become today, what exactly is that? I’ve heard many ex-Scientologists state they still believe in the concept, just not COB’s current reign and all the abuses, etc. What exactly does auditing do that is beneficial? Also, how in the world do the “Squirrel Busters” get away with so blatantly harassing and berating ex-members as they do? Good Lord, they even advertise themselves on their chests!

(6) Thank you, again, Chris, for sharing your personal experiences and well-reasoned arguments. I learned this week that someone very close to me had been manipulated (swindled, more like it) by her former boss who was a Scientologist and a physician. She was very close to losing all of her savings. Fortunately, she confronted him head-on, challenged his claims, and quit her job. I’ve heard that Scientology targets physicians, dentists, and vets – why is this? Should we be concerned about the motives of the people we trust with our lives (and our pets’ lives?)

(7) Hi Chris! I’m a big fan of your channel and all the positive work you’ve been doing since leaving the Church of Scientology. Thanks for all you do! Now, on to my question: I recently read the story of Brian Sheen posted on The Underground Bunker. Part of it mentioned Mr. Sheen (whose daughter suddenly stopped speaking to him thanks to him getting an SP declare) trying to get his daughter’s new in-laws (big in the church, HUGE IAS donations) to perhaps use their sway to get the Church to reconsider the declare. In Going Clear, Sara Goldberg mentions petitioning the declare against her son, Nick Lister. Well that didn’t work, and the jury is still out (so to speak) in the case of Brian Sheen. So my question is, do you know of any time or situation where the Church changed their collective mind on a declared SP? Aside from someone earning back their favorability by doing A through E steps, it seems to me that the Church is rather stubborn (to put it mildly) and once they make a decision, that is that for this lifetime. Are there any other situations where the Church would or could say, “Oops, we were wrong…” and then reverse a decision about something?

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